NORTHERN SAMAR, Philippines — About 2,000 families in Northern Samar availed the ₱20 per kilo Rice Program of the national government launched at the Capitol Gym in Barangay Dalakit, Catarman, Northern Samar, on December 8.

Conceived to help the vulnerable sectors and minimum wage earners, 400 sacks of rice were made available to all Nortehanons today as an early Christmas offering, allowing a maximum of 10 kilos purchase per household.

The “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na” is an initiative of the national government through the Department of Agriculture and its attached agencies – National Food Authority, and Food Terminal Inc., in partnership with the Provincial Government under the leadership of Governor Harris Ongchuan, carried out through the Provincial Agriculture Office.

Governor Ongchuan led the program rollout today, along with DA 8 Regional Director Rodel Macapañas, Vice Governor Clarence Dato, SP Committee on Agriculture Chairperson BM Leonida Laodenio, Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Jose Luis Acompanado, DA 8 Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division Chief Francis Rosaroso, and Ms. Juvee Ann Gremio of NFA Northern Samar. ( Northern Samar PIO)